King Harald V of Norway is in an "extremely serious" condition at Oslo University Hospital, where he has been receiving treatment for a rare blood condition for over a week. The nation's royal household announced the worsening of the 89-year-old monarch's health on Thursday.
Queen Sonja, Crown Prince Haakon, and other members of the royal family have canceled engagements and gathered at the king's bedside. Crown Prince Haakon, who is next in line to the throne, has been serving as regent during his father's absence. He is 53 years old.
King Harald, who ascended to the throne in 1991, is Europe's oldest head of state. He is being treated for hemolytic anemia, a condition that reduces red blood cell count, leading to fatigue and shortness of breath. He had been receiving cortisone treatment for the condition in recent weeks.
Princess Astrid, the king's sister, has also been reported to be at the hospital, along with Crown Prince Haakon's wife, Crown Princess Mette-Marit. Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre stated that "the whole nation is with us as we send warm thoughts to the king and the rest of the royal family."
Recent Health Challenges
The Norwegian royal family has experienced several health challenges this year. In June, Crown Princess Mette-Marit underwent a lung transplant following a diagnosis of a rare form of pulmonary fibrosis in 2018. This procedure occurred just two days after her son, Marius Borg Høiby, was sentenced to four years in prison for two counts of rape. Høiby, who denied the most serious charges, plans to appeal the sentence. He is 29 years old and is not a member of the royal family, having become part of it when his mother married Crown Prince Haakon.
Earlier in the year, documents revealed Crown Princess Mette-Marit's past contact with the late financier Jeffrey Epstein. She subsequently apologized for her three-year association with Epstein, citing "poor judgment" and expressing regret over the friendship. She stated in a national television interview that she wished she had never met him.
King Harald himself has faced multiple health issues in recent years that have required him to reduce his royal duties. In 2024, he fell ill during a holiday in Malaysia and subsequently had a pacemaker fitted.